Want a Happier Small-Business Staff? Give Them Flexibility.

What is the one change that many small firms could make that would make their companies more attractive places to work?

JOANNE CHANG: Greater flexibility in work schedules. More than money and benefits, people today are looking for more flexibility in their day-to-day to pursue other interests, take care of family members, etc.

In a company like ours, a schedule is written each week and there’s not a lot of flexibility once it is written, i.e. we need a certain number of people on the floor or in the kitchen in order for us to operate.

So what we do to try and offer more flexibility is constantly aim to be slightly overstaffed as well as make staff members trained in as many jobs as possible so that we can accommodate schedule requests before writing the weekly schedule and/or so that staff themselves can switch shifts with co-workers as needed.

Having a well-rounded and well-trained staff allows for this so this is a goal of our managers at all times.

Joanne Chang (@jbchang) is the owner of and chef at Flour Bakery + Café and Myers + Chang in Boston.